Sea turtles, manta rays, jellyfish - these are some of the magnificent (and sometimes lethal) creatures that await the millions of snorkelers, divers, and ocean enthusiasts that visit our shores each year. But what if you could experience some of this wonder without ever getting wet?Today we’re adding the very first underwater panoramic images to Google Maps. The Catlin Seaview Survey used a specially designed underwater camera, the SVII, to capture underwater imagery around the world, as part of their expedition to document the composition and health of coral reefs.With these vibrant and stunning snapshots now on Google Maps, anyone can now take a virtual dive from their desktop or mobile and explore six of the world’s most incredible underwater spots, including coral reefs in Australia, the Philippines and Hawaii.

Get up close and personal with sea turtles at Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef

Here’s a look at how this group of ocean enthusiasts are sharing their passions with the world:

All of this imagery will be available at maps.google.com/ocean. You can also find out much more about this reef via theWorld Wonders Project, a website that brings modern and ancient world heritage sites online.

The Catlin Seaview Survey team on location on the Great Barrier Reef, encountering a manta ray

Whether you’re a marine biologist, an avid scuba diver or a landlocked landlubber, we encourage you to dive in and explore the ocean with Google.Posted by Nabil Naghdy, Product Manager for Google Maps Australia & New Zealand